Mark Williams’s arrival as the new CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) brings along a unique perspective informed by time with leading orchestras across North America. He is the first black man to hold a leadership role in a major North American symphony, a distinction that he once said gives him no joy when he reflects on the ground still left to cover to be more inclusive of racialized populations. Joining smART Magazine from his new office in Downtown Toronto, he talks about the unique challenges presented by the city’s dynamic demographics, how his experience informs his priorities, and celebrating the orchestra’s centennial season.